Unions defy Supreme Court order that should see VICT operations resume
Further to our Newsflash on Wednesday 13/12/17, the below commentary is given by Victorian Road Transport Association on the on-going picket lines at Melbourne’s Web Dock VICT Container Terminal:
“The Victorian Transport Association is imploring the MUA and CFMEU to comply with Supreme Court orders issued yesterday 12/12/17 for their illegal picket at Victoria International Container Terminal to be disbanded.
On Tuesday, the Court issued orders against the MUA and CFMEU which prevents them approaching within 100 metres of VICT’s business. It also issued orders requiring the unions not to restrict access to VICT by either trucks or people, and requiring them not to encourage others to attend the site to do the same.
Despite the Court order, it is our understanding that the picket is still in place and trucks are not able to access containers at VICT. This arrogant defiance of a Supreme Court order is continuing to disrupt activities at the terminal, as well as trade and commerce throughout the state during the busiest time of the year for small businesses that are being denied access to their goods. The order from the Court was effectively a signal that the Victorian people should not be held to ransom by illegal picketing that has shut down the Port of Melbourne’s third stevedore, and it is stunning that the unions are showing such contempt.
Breaking the law, as the MUA and CFMEU are doing by defying these orders, is irresponsible, immature and selfish. It’s time they grew up and stop holding VICT and Victorians to ransom through these actions.
There is a prescribed system in place for matters like the one that led to this illegal picketing to be dealt with. To prevent further disruptions at the Port of Melbourne and embarrassment for Victoria as a place to do business, we urge all parties to use the industrial relations system and Fair Work Commission to have workplace disputes resolved”.
GPSM are pleased to advise that we have no clients containers involved in the dispute.
The shipping lines have been using DP World and Patricks Melbourne Terminals while this action has been continuing. It is hoped that the disruption is not escalated to include other Union branches and that the picket lines are removed as ordered by the Courts.
We shall keep everyone updated with further developments as we receive details.